Chicago Bears’ Post

Many students go to college because of career aspirations and yet nearly half of job seeking college grads regret their major in hindsight. Despite the emphasis on career-readiness, 51% of students visited career services once or less throughout their college journey. We spent months meeting with students, campus leaders, and career services professionals to understand the disconnect. What we uncovered was that students want more opportunities to explore potential career paths in their industry earlier in their journey and they need the structure of a course to invest time in career discovery. ➡ What we created in response are 200-level industry-specific career navigation courses that give students the confidence to discover available career paths, execute the job search process, and practice with professionals in their chosen field. ➡ In addition to the career navigation courses, this fall we also released a free and easy career exploration tool for students to explore their possible career paths. Check out the video below to hear more about our new offerings to help students find a pathway to fulfilling employment from our Head of Learning, Gregory Edwards ↗

"You can never be overdressed or overeducated." - Oscar Wilde This timeless quote resonated with me and brought back memories from nearly two decades ago when I was in college attending a career fair. I recall walking into the event, where various potential employers were present, and my attire was far from optimal. I'll spare you the details. 😀 A recruiter from a well-known national healthcare company stopped me as soon as I stepped in. She advised me to go home and dress appropriately for the occasion. This moment taught me that how I dressed was part of my brand and contributed to a person's first impression. It may sound like common sense now, but for a young person learning about the world, this was a challenge that many of my peers had not yet accepted. Such timely advice has stayed with me ever since. I remind myself that I can always dress down if I'm overdressed, like taking off a tie or jacket. But it's much harder to dress up. I don't do anyone, including myself, any favors by dressing down or not striving to be a lifelong learner. Surprisingly, for the past decade, I have thoroughly enjoyed putting on a suit. Moreover, education over the years has come to me in various forms—reading, taking on stretch assignments, online courses, securities licenses, designations, leadership coaching, mentoring, asking for and applying feedback, and more. Now, as I approach my adult prime, my kids laugh at some of the pictures from my teenage and young adult years. I can laugh with them. More importantly, as they grow older, I can share a story that carries a lifelong lesson worth passing on for decades to come. #consistency #noregrets #brandmanagement #OscarWilde #appliedlearning #continiousgrowth

You know that feeling of child-like excitement and anticipation leading up to a birthday or vacation? That’s exactly how I feel about one of my favorite events of the year: MIT Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program (UPOP)'s Team Training Workshop. Sadly, I wasn’t able to make it this year, but my passion for this event and all it has to offer still remains. For those who aren’t familiar, MIT UPOP’s Team Training Workshop is an annual event designed to help students in the UPOP program hone their leadership skills through workshops, activities and hands-on learning opportunities, all culminating in a career fair at the end of the week-long program. It’s also a week I refer to as my “annual refresher” where I have the opportunity to connect with students, model the power of teamwork and even learn a little bit myself. Through the years, this event has deepened my love for mentoring in ways I never could have imagined. It's given me a chance to connect with each student on an individual level and work with them to craft their own career game plan. While the entire week is filled with amazing moments of learning and growth, the real cherry on top is their beaming faces after they nail their elevator pitch at the career fair. I’m always left in awe of the incredible talent these students possess—and that all they really need is a vote of confidence and a little push to get them going, and then they’re set. Having served on the advisory board for multiple years, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of such a transformative program. I also want to thank all the dedicated staff who go to great lengths to organize the event each year, as well as the mentors who always bring their A-game, especially Mariquita Blumberg, Ed Kessing, Andrew Sommer, Betsy Boyle, Tim Dove and Reza Rahaman. I’ll always be UPOP’s biggest fan and can’t wait to see all the greatness still to come through this program. For any MIT students interested, I highly encourage you to apply! #MITUPOP #MIT #Mentorship #Leadership #CareerFair 

After spending the day at a career fair at Godley High School, I stumbled upon a Facebook post by Mike Rowe that really made me think. It was one of those moments where everything just clicks. Mike had some tough words about the way we all too often think about education and work. He called out a chart showing how much more college grads earn compared to high school grads, labeling it misleading and a sort of propaganda for "college at any price." And you know what? He has a point.   I had the chance to talk with some very bright students, all set on the college track. But after reading Mike Rowe's post, it hit me — are we, as a society, really showing them every option available for their future? Each one of these kids had college in their sights, as if that's the singular path to a successful life. Mike's words resonated, challenging this one-route-fits-all approach. It's time to ask ourselves if we're narrowing their vision by not revealing the entire landscape of possibilities.   Mike's post pointed out something crucial: we're comparing apples to oranges. Not every successful person went to a four-year college. What about skilled tradespeople, entrepreneurs, or those who find their niche through community colleges or online courses? They're often doing just as well, if not better, and without the mountain of debt.   So, what should we be doing differently? Well, for starters, we need to celebrate all paths to success. Whether it's through apprenticeships, trade schools, or even learning on the job, there are so many ways to make a good living and be happy in what you do.   Working at Wachter has shown me the importance of practical skills in our industry. We need to do more to support schools and programs that prepare students for the real world, not just the academic one. It's about offering internships, partnering with technical schools, and maybe even starting scholarship funds for those who choose a different path.   We need to broaden our perspective on what success looks like and how to get there. It's not just about pushing everyone towards a four-year degree. It's about finding what works for you, what you're passionate about, and going for it. Let's make sure we're telling that story to the next generation.

Accelerate Your Career this Summer at Houston Community College - Southeast College!   Are you a working professional looking to advance your career? Don't let the summer pass you by without investing in your professional development. At Houston Community College - Southeast College, we understand the unique needs of working adults like you, and we have designed our summer enrollment campaign with your success in mind.   Why choose Houston Community College - Southeast College for your summer education?   1.     Industry-Experienced Instructors: Learn from instructors who bring real-world experience to the classroom. Our faculty members have extensive industry backgrounds, ensuring you receive practical knowledge and insights that you can apply on the job immediately. 2.     Accelerated Programs: We offer accelerated programs that allow you to complete your education faster. Whether you're aiming for an associate degree or seeking specialized certifications, our streamlined curriculum can help you achieve your goals efficiently. 3.     Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow working professionals in a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Our campus provides opportunities to network and build relationships with individuals from diverse industries, expanding your professional network. 4.     Career Services: Take advantage of our dedicated career services team, who can assist you with resume building, interview preparation, and job placement. We're committed to helping you achieve your career aspirations.   Visit our website at www.hccs.edu/summer/se or call our admissions office at 713.718.7000 to explore our summer enrollment options. We understand the demands of working adults and are here to support you every step of the way.

#mbaMondays hot take for my current #MBA folks...🔥 Go to conferences! 🏃🏿♂️ During the beginning semester of my 1st year at the USC Marshall School of Business I was *drowning* in school work. I was knee deep in accounting and corporate finance…going into midterms. 🥵 I then found out the National Black MBA Association was hosting its annual conference around the same time. I wanted to go, but some of my classmates and professors didn’t think it was a good idea with exams looming! 😩 I decided to go anyway. 😱 Why, you might ask? 🤔 Because the MBA experience more than just burying your head in the books. 💥 It’s about meeting people in your field of interest (who can potentially refer you for jobs), sharing time with your classmates, and meeting recruiters (many conferences have career fairs). 🙌🏿 For me, I had a blast at the conference. Met some cool MBAs from UCLA, bonded with some of my classmates from the University of Southern California, and even got some interviews. 🤗 All in all, I didn’t regret a thing! 😀 So, what I want you to do right now is…✍️ 1️⃣ Check out the major conference that interest you (talk to 2nd years for help) 2️⃣ Put the ones you really want to go to on your calendar 3️⃣ Ask if your program will subsidize the trip 4️⃣ Most importantly…just GO! 💨 Trust me, you won’t regret it! 🙌🏿 Big shout out to the Marshall's Black Graduate Business Leaders Club (BGBL). We showed up big in #Chicago for the National Black MBA conference during my first year. #BusinessSchool #MBAjourney #usc #uscmarshall #Education

What an incredible turnout at Michigan Technological University's Michigan Day Career Fest! Hundreds of students had the chance to explore career opportunities with top companies from across the state, including 13 U.P. employers.  As a region, the U.P is blessed with nearly 20,000 higher-ed students. According to Amy Berglund of InvestUP, for a rural region, this is “significant” and reflects why this is “a great opportunity to introduce students to the U.P. employers, and also the U.P. employers to the students.” With MTU enrollment surging to 7,430 and earning accolades for early career salaries, the Michigan Day Career Fest couldn’t come at a better time! This paired momentum is creating exciting opportunities for both students and U.P. employers. Read more about the Career Fest turnout here: https://bit.ly/3ZhPObl Learn more about MTU’s record-breaking enrollment here: https://bit.ly/3MEBsKy

The Ulster BOCES Adult Career Education Center's Fall 2024 Catalog is HOT off the press! 🔥 Explore a variety of courses and find the perfect one (or two, or three!) just for you. Visit our website to browse or download your copy: https://lnkd.in/eCUacDyU With something for everyone, there's no better time to dive into learning. Check it out today! #NeverStopLearning #ContinuingEducation

It's never too early to prepare or register for the Spring 2024 New Orleans Collegiate Career Expo. In partnership with Dillard University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Loyola University New Orleans. Things to Consider: 1.) How can you improve your resume to impress recruiters and companies? 2.) What questions do you have for recruiters? 3.) What key things do you value in a job or internship? 4.) How can you make the most of the Career Expo in a competing world of work? Student Registration Opens January 11, 2024.

Exciting update from Week 2 of the Immersive Career Mentorship Program for our CREA Scholars at Indiana University Indianapolis! This week was all about empowering our scholars with essential skills in career development and planning, equipping them to navigate the unexpected twists and turns of career transitions with confidence. #CareerDevelopment #FutureLeaders #CREAScholars #IUI